Healthy, changed Ryan Tannehill ready for best year of Dolphins career

Joe Schad @schadjoe

Thursday

Aug 30, 2018 at 12:01 AMSep 6, 2018 at 12:45 PM

Ryan Tannehill had all the time in the world to think. And so it was then, he concluded, that he really liked his place in the world.

The day after Tannehill stepped on an NFL football field and played a game for the first time in 606 days, he took the time to finally talk about it all. With the aid of surgery, a torn ligament in his knee had been properly healed.

And with a preseason game complete, it had been tested. Tannehill seemed at ease. He seemed at peace. He seemed reflective.

"I love what I do," Tannehill said. "I have always loved the game. And I’ve always had a lot of fun playing the game. But where I am in my career, having the unfortunate opportunity to go through what I went through last year, it gives me more appreciation than I’ve ever had."

Tannehill felt helpless watching the Dolphins struggle last season. It’s often viewed as cliche when a player says he improved while watching, but Tannehill’s explanation goes beyond film study. Time away has prompted him to approach his job differently.

"I am enjoying the moments," Tannehill said. "Enjoying the process. Enjoying the grind. Enjoying the relationships. At the end of the day, doing what I love. I love competing. I love playing the position. And everything it entails. I love winning. How many guys can say they get to do this on a day-to-day basis?"

Several times during a conversation, Tannehill alludes to having "fun" as in, more fun than ever. In observing Tannehill throughout training camp, he seems free and loose and self-assured.

Tannehill is 30 now, a husband, a father to a son, with another child on the way. Pure joy is the best way to describe Tannehill’s post-practice interactions with son Steel: The youngster enjoys running at his father full speed and jumping on him, and Ryan then lifts him high into the air.

"I love being a dad," Tannehill said. "I love being able to spend time with my little guy. He’s so fun. Little moments like that I wouldn’t trade for the world. Your viewpoint of life totally changes. What’s important. Obviously, what’s important to you before is still important, you just have a different perspective on life in general."

Tannehill feels supported at home and at the office. And anyone who has experienced that knows how much that can help you perform.

After Tannehill tore up his knee in a practice last summer, wife Lauren was, as Ryan describes her, "my rock."

"We were both crushed," Tannehill said. "And she kind of flipped a gear and took on a caretaker role. When I was really down and out, she did it all. She held it down. Physical support. Mental support. I was frustrated. And she was always there."

Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) with his wife, Lauren and son, Steel, on the first day of training camp in Davie, Florida on July 26, 2018. (Allen Eyestone / The Palm Beach Post)

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Last year, Tannehill got a new tattoo on his right arm. It’s laurel leaves. Lauren means "by the laurel leaves," Tannehill explained.

Since Dolphins coach Adam Gase took over in 2016, Tannehill has felt unwavering support from his coach. This was not always the case.

"We had it rolling," Tannehill said of his performance before the injury in December of 2016. "And so I think (Gase) was kind of crushed, too, when I went down. So I felt terrible for him. He does things to play to your strengths. To be back, it’s been a lot of fun."

Tannehill won seven of his last eight starts in 2016, throwing 13 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. And yet skeptics remain.

A former first-round draft choice, Tannehill is about to begin his seventh NFL season, yet he has not played for the Dolphins in a playoff game. There are some who suggest Tannehill’s sense of urgency and the way in which he’s publicly holding others more accountable is an indication he’s feeling pressure.

Quite the opposite, those around him suggest. It’s actually an indicator of comfort — with who he is and the importance of the role he plays.

Does it bother Tannehill that some have drawn a referendum on his career, when, for example, Alex Smith just had the best year of his career at 33 and other quarterbacks are flourishing into their 40s?

"There are obviously perceptions," Tannehill says, before taking a long pause. "Assumptions that people make. And that’s OK. I know where I’m at. I truly believe I’m in a better position than I ever have been. Playing with more confidence. Excited. I think I had to go through the things I had to go through to get to where I am today. Obviously — obviously I kind of wish I could have been where I am now five years ago."

For years, preseason stories about Tannehill have questioned if the quarterback is "ready to take the next step." And so it would not be mentioned here again, except that Tannehill has deduced that he is. Tannehill believes, without hesitation, he’s about to embark on the best year of his career.

"Totally believe that," Tannehill said. "Totally believe that. I am more prepared than I have ever been. To play the position. Everything it encompasses. Physically. Mentally. Emotionally. I’m more solid than I’ve ever been. I’m more consistent fundamentally than I’ve ever been. Play comes in. I know exactly what I have to do. Boom. Boom. Boom."

Tannehill says his offensive line is "better than it’s ever been" and that his wide receiver group — minus Jarvis Landry — is "stacked" and that "it’s going to be fun to spread the ball around. I think teams can’t dial in and double-team one guy."

But those who know Tannehill best explain how he has seized control of the offense and how he’s carrying himself a bit differently in 2018.

"I think he’s just getting more comfortable with who he is and the player that he is," Dolphins receiver Kenny Stills said. "And knowing how hard he works. And the fact that we all respect him."

Will Tannehill be the ultimate late bloomer? Will Tannehill defeat the perception that he doesn’t have the ability to lift a franchise? Will he ever have a Kirk Cousins-like moment?

Could Tannehill ever, ever, imagine himself shouting to reporters, "You like that? You like that!" as he struts off the field and through the tunnel at Hard Rock Stadium after a benchmark win?

"I don’t know," Tannehill says. "I’ll let you guys decide what’s elite and what’s not elite. I want to drive this team to win. Hold our standard day in and day out. And ultimately hold a Super Bowl trophy. That’s my goal. That’s why I’m here."

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.